MAGNIFICENT WORKMANSHIP USING TRADITIONAL CARVING METHODS AND PATTERNS. I WOULD CALL THIS A RECREATION OF AN AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL RATHER THAN A REPLICA OR PURELY ART. IT WOULD BE JUST AS FUNCTIONAL AS AN ORIGINAL FOR REAL FIGHTING WITH THE RATTAN RIM GUARD TO REDUCE EDGE SPLITTING AND HAS THE REQUIRED THICKNESS AND WEIGHT TO PROTECT AS WELL AS TO STRIKE WITH. A TRUE SHIELD MADE TOO LATE FOR ACTUAL USE BUT AS A WALL HANGER OR FOR PARADE OR CEREMONY BUT A REAL SHIELD ALL THE SAME. ITS GOOD TO SEE THAT THE SKILL AND DESIRE TO PRODUCE ITEMS OF SUCH QUALITY STILL EXISTS.
